Business of Sport

This week we welcome Bristol Bears CEO Tom Tainton to the show. With a new league structure recently announced and some high profile investments across the Prem, this is a great time to talk rugby and look at one of the top clubs pushing for their first title, to take them to the next level.
Now since we recorded this show last week, there has been a lot of blowback from some fans and media based on comments made by Tom at a sports industry event, most of which seems to boil down to his suggestion Bristol are a marketing business playing rugby. To those of you that listen regularly, you’ll know a huge part of our conversations with CEO’s running clubs will include our firm belief that teams are content/marketing businesses and have to think like that to continue to develop in the most competitive sports market there has ever been.
On the blowback, what I can say is this. Tom is one of the most impressive CEO’s that has sat in this chair with us, across sport. He speaks like an executive that gets it. He understands the demands placed on clubs in this day and age to be more than their performance on the pitch. But, and it’s a big but, not once did I feel like he believed this was at the expense of what happens on the pitch. He clearly says the next big target is to win silverware. Win the Prem. A Bristolian running one of the city’s major sporting assets; this is what you want to see in sport. So for this conversation, think about the future of the club and the sport as a combination of striving to win on and off the pitch. It’s a challenge, but it’s a challenge all teams face to maintain relevance. From what I saw, for what it’s worth, Bristol Bears have someone in charge who is intent on driving both in equal measure. We’re delighted to welcome Tom to the Business of Sport.

A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: 

Airwallex
The intelligent financial platform for global businesses
⁠https://www.airwallex.com/uk/

Gemini
We empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth
⁠https://geminisports.ai/

If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at
⁠[email protected]

After a huge week of golf and snooker last time out, we’re breaking more new ground this week. The sub two hour marathon; it’s finally been achieved in an official race when Sebastian Sawe won the London Marathon at the weekend. But do the athletes achieving these feats get the recognition they deserve? As is there a broader problem facing athletics as fights for attention in the most competitive sporting landscape? Add to that a look at F1 as it returns with the Miami Grand Prix after a 5 week break with a few amendments to the regulations, and the craziest final day of league season you’re likely to see, as York score a 103rd minute equaliser against Rochdale to get promoted to the football league, and we have ourselves a breakdown 

Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is intended as commentary and opinion on matters of public interest in the sports industry. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, figures, statistics, and financial data referenced may be based on publicly available estimates and could be subject to error or change. Nothing in this podcast should be taken as a statement of fact. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us at [email protected] and we will endeavour to correct the record promptly.

We’re delighted to partner with Obelisk Sports Agency
⁠https://obelisksports.com/⁠

If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at
⁠⁠[email protected]

Player & Agent; we’ve been targeting a show like this for years, and today we bring it to you. This relationship is one of the most important in sport, but shrouded in mystery and hear say, often not portraying either side in the best light.
You can put that all aside today. Crystal Palace centre back and the USA’s Men’s Player of the Year Chris Richards joined us with his agent Alan Redmond to talk through what it is like operating at the highest level in sport…together. Chris’s story is unique, from finding football as a youngster in Dallas to moving to Bayern Munich as a teenager to being a Premier League regular and FA Cup Winner. The role stable representation and Alan in particular has played in that seems integral; that’s what I took from this conversation.
This really is one of a kind insight. Sit back and enjoy as we welcome Chris and Alan to the Business of Sport.

A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: 

Airwallex
The intelligent financial platform for global businesses
https://www.airwallex.com/uk/

Gemini
We empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth 
https://geminisports.ai/

Navan
Save BIG with Navan’s Business Travel Management 
https://navan.com/uk/sign-up/home

If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at
[email protected]

Spoiler alert, while I’m recording this after Liam Rosenior got the sack from Chelsea, we recorded the show just before the 3-0 defeat to Brighton. For those of you familiar with the show you’ll not be surprised by my sentiments: what a shambles! I’m not too upset we don’t get to talk about it today because what more is there to be said other than, yes he blew a big chance to succeed, but the decision makers above yet again have it all to answer for, and quite frankly it’s astonishing none of them are out the door with Liam. Anyway, what we are doing today is looking at a mad week for LIV golf and what looks like it could be the final nail in this very expensive sporting disaster, followed by a business assessment of the closing stages of the Premier League; what are the financial implications of title wins, European qualification, relegation. To finish off and after many requests from you, it’s the turn of snooker as we get to enjoy the World Championships. Plenty to get through on this week’s Breakdown!

Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is intended as commentary and opinion on matters of public interest in the sports industry. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, figures, statistics, and financial data referenced may be based on publicly available estimates and could be subject to error or change. Nothing in this podcast should be taken as a statement of fact. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us at [email protected] and we will endeavour to correct the record promptly.

We’re delighted to partner with Obelisk Sports Agency
https://obelisksports.com/

If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at
⁠[email protected]

A huge show for you today with a Premier League club flying high in their first season back at the top. Sunderland have had a difficult and well documented 10 years, but under the ownership of Kyril Louis Dreyfus and the Bia Sports team, the good times are coming back. Tom Burwell has taken over as interim CEO as the club plan the next phase of this growth story. He delivers one of the most impressive and compelling football leadership conversations we’ve had on the show. It’s the case study every potential football investor will point to when asked where value can be found in the game. Most importantly, it’s the case study to show how you can nail your business and performance strategy. We’re delighted to welcome Tom to the Business of Sport.

A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: 

Gemini
We empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth
https://geminisports.ai/
Slate
The complete content creation platform for social teams
https://slateteams.com/

If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at
[email protected]